Sure seems like a lot of folks want to relocate...

Research the board a little....read a couple of pages of the threads and you will see a few of the problems.

I did, and I still don't get it, unless I hit on the main things in my original post:

1. Dreams change
2. Realization prior to move that it probably won't work
3. Unrealistic expectations post-move

"If it is an island paradise......."

If that's the assumption you're working with, then you really need to do more research.

Beeno, just 'cause I'm curious - what region of the country are you from?

Some don't stay because rarely do geographical cures work & when they move here, they bring themselves so technically it's no escape especially if they are the problem.

Some find it's not like it is on vacation. You usually have to work harder than you do in the States.

It's a different culture & what seemed charming on vacations or visits gets on their nerves, such as cars stopping in the road to have a little chat, etc.

Some start missing the seasons.

Some get rock fever & feel trapped after a while, especially if they don't have the funds or time to get off the rock occasionally.

Some miss family & what's familiar.

Some get into a boozy, druggy lifestyle, go downhill fast & leave (if they're lucky.) Of course, some do that, recover & stay also.

Some just don't like it after a while & decide they'd prefer somewhere else.

All are valid reasons.

"If it is an island paradise and a good real estate value, what is the problem?"

I guess there is more to life than an island paradise and real estate! 😉

But truthfully, I think many people are in love with the IDEA of life on an island and the reality is somewhat different. I would say all of your points are valid. The majority of people who actually step off the plane probably stay 6 months or less.

Or else 2 months of "Feliz Navidad" drives them away. 🙂

Hey, I'm not asking for myself. I'm definitely curious about the subject, having visiting some of the less developed areas of the Caribbean many times over the past 20 years. I only recently got curious about the USVI and found this great board, which I've been browsing for the past few days.

It just got me thinking about why plans go awry or why people change their minds or whatever. Some people dream about living in big cities, some dream about island life. I am enjoying reading this board and do hope to visit the USVI some day. Who knows? Maybe I'll keep coming back, or even stay! Anyway, thanks for indulging my silly questions.

Beenie: There are no silly questions...

Thanks, East Ender. I am enjoying the heck out of this messge board. Learning a lot and also being entertained quite a bit by some of it.

...just silly answers!

Well as someone who is moving to St. Thomas in a week...let me explain why we're making the move.

We live in the states now. My husband is making less then half of what he was a few years ago due to company downsizing. I have been looking for a job for 6 months - a job doing anything - and I am unable to get a job. We saw a job opportunity on St. Thomas that is perfect for my husband. I've already got a job also. So it's not so much just "wanting to relocate." It's the fact that I need a job and my husband will have a better job - gotta pay the bills somehow.

I've never lived in the USVI, but I have lived in all kinds of different places.

Another reason people might leave is culture shock. They think it will be like living in the states, but only on an island. And when they get there it's almost nothing like living in the states. I used to live in the Outer Banks. That's the bearier islands of NC. Not much there but tourist stuff. There is Wal Mart , K-Mart, and grocery stores, for the locals. If you want to do any real shopping you have to drive an hour to Virgina beach. I knew of people that moved back to the mainland, because they couldn't handle living there. And that's in the states.

For a lot of people it's hard to get used to living in the Outer Banks. So how much harder would it be to live where, if you drive 50 miles or less you end up where you started, because you can't go any farther. And the culture/way of life is different from where you came from, but you think it should be the same.

Elwyn

I just recently moved here, but I would venture to say that real estate is only a good value to those who can actually afford to invest in the first place! I have a good, professional, very middle-class job, (and a hubby with the same) and there are very few places that I can afford. That may be a reason many people are transient. Still, this is a wonderful place, and I am so happy that I made the move. This board has been a great resource, too!

Hello there Beeno! I think all of the posts are 'right on', however you are also right. As I do the PMV support on STX, there has been a significant increase in movers just in 18 months. Many are moving due to the breaking of the ground for the new casinos, and are the 'first fleet' of people who are moving to manage the development. Some are just kind of ex patriots whom have lived in other places as well, and want to try this out for 3-5 years, others are from the airlines, which I expect is sort of a parallel situation to the development of the mega casinos.

I have also noticed that people who are PMVing are more likely now to actually move here. Last year, it was below 50%, and now it is over 75%, which I think is significant. I have gotten some very odd emails, and those I tend to support less as it is more for a long-term drunken vacation, however most of the folks have a very detailed plan, and have done a lot f research via this board and other means.

I think the current housing shortage is a testament to that. I hope this may provide a slightly different angle on the whole thing.

Best wishes,

Dan

I've been here almost three years and I'm very happy - but I think I came here with the right attitude. I had very low expectations (it's hard to be disappointed when you have no expectations), was willing to work and had a great support system as I moved here with my husband. We were very, very lucky to find a good deal on a house - but in general, I don't think the real estate here is a good value unless, as the previous poster said, you have the means ($$$) to invest. Many of my middle class working friends don't - they spend all their money paying for WAPA, gas ($3.20 a gallon) and groceries (much more expensive than stateside)! Personally, I'm afraid we're stuck in our current home because anything else that compares is now way out of our price range. Thankfully, I love our current home, but it will be too small when we decide to expand our family. And when we do expand, we'll need to save all our pennies for private school because I refuse to put my kids in the public system here. It's definitey not paradise - but it is home for those that can stick it out.

Honestly I think some people just chicken out which is why they talk about the move over and over again but never do it. Dreamers. I've seen that soooo many times. Even on this board. Everyone can make excuses on why they can't do it now, kids, job, etc. Or they TRY in vain to find a job from off island which I have found is almost impossible, and then give up. You have to come down and jump in head first. I bought a house so I didn't have the "leave island when things get rough" option, and I had no job and within 30 days I had 2 jobs offers that were comparable to what I had in the states.

JUST DO IT is my attitude. Safety net be damned. 3 years and I absolutely LOVE IT! Plan on raising my family here, have a 5 month old now. Just have to afford the private schools.

I think you're right, StuScott. And if they do chicken out, it's probably a good thing they don't make the move. It's probably not the right thing for them.